Wearing Nature’s Colors: A Botanical Dye Workshop

This 3-hour workshop invites participants to learn about the ancient and continuing art of using natural materials from plants, insects and minerals to permanently dye a wide range of fibers. We will dye silk scarves (or cotton bandanas) with plant materials grown and foraged in Central Maine. The instructor will share knowledge gained in her many years as a natural dyer through finished works, dye record books, and samples of dyestuffs. Note taking and photos are welcome. Sources for materials—including growing a dye garden—are given.

About the instructor: Jude Hsiang has been dyeing with natural materials for 45 years and teaching the craft for 12. She is particularly interested in exploring the use of Maine-grown fibers—wool, alpaca, mohair, angora, linen, and hemp—that are spun in Maine by hand or local mills. She grows a dozen or so varieties of dye plants in her Central Maine garden and forages more in the wild. She also uses traditional dyes and fibers from around the world. A knitter, weaver, and stitcher, Jude enjoys putting her results to work in an array of items and selling naturally dyed yarns.